A disgruntled college professor who was turned down for a position at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) went on a shooting spree Wednesday killing three and critically injuring one.
The 67-year-old who previously worked at East Carolina University in North Carolina, reportedly targeted staff and faculty members. Anthony Polito was killed in a shootout by Las Vegas police officers who were on the scene within minutes, according to the Associated Press.
Polito reportedly opened fire on the fourth floor of Beam Hall which houses the Lee Business School. Faculty and students were told to “Run-Hide-Fight” as the shooter went floor to floor on his killing rampage before getting taken down by two university police detectives outside the building, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill.
“The attack was the worst shooting in the city since October 2017, when a gunman killed 60 people and wounded more than 400 after opening fire from the window of a room at Mandalay Bay casino on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip only a couple miles from the UNLV campus,” Fox News reported.
(Video Credit: ABC7)
McMahill stated during a press conference that the first 911 calls came in at 11:45 a.m. Following the altercation, two officers were treated for minor injuries.
“Importantly, there was a gathering just outside of the building where the students were playing games and eating food. … And if it hadn’t been for the heroic actions of one of those police officers who responded, there could have been countless additional lives taken. Armed confrontation of the suspect by law enforcement stopped the suspect’s further actions,” the sheriff noted.
The identities of the victims have not been released. Polito allegedly used a handgun to do his killing, according to ABC News.
“A law enforcement official briefed on the probe said an apartment in Henderson, Nevada — believed to be the shooter’s home — was being searched Wednesday night,” the news outlet reported.
The UNLV shooter was Dr. Tony Polito, a semi-retired university professor. pic.twitter.com/881ixZ9RJd
— Las Vegas Locally (@LasVegasLocally) December 7, 2023
“Detectives have also retrieved the suspect’s phone and are now feverishly examining its contents for clues about what motivated the killer to mount his alleged attack. Police are also combing his professional writings to determine whether something in those texts could shed light on the events that occurred on the UNLV campus,” ABC News stated.
“Classes and school activities have been canceled through Sunday and the UNLV basketball game at the University of Dayton, Ohio was canceled Wednesday because of the shootings,” Fox News reported.
A statement was released by UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield concerning the shooting.
“Today is a tragic day for UNLV. It is with the utmost sadness and grief that I am writing to you about a shooting that took place late this morning on our campus – our home. We’re all still in shock as we process the unfathomable event. Members of our community lost their lives and others were injured. My heart aches for our UNLV family. I know all of us are sending our love and support to the victims, their families, and friends during this difficult time,” Whitfield sadly wrote in the release.
Breaking: UNLV shooter was Crazy Democrat professor who didn’t get a job at the school. pic.twitter.com/YTXzRQwNdi
— 1776 (@TheWakeninq) December 7, 2023
According to Whitfield, mental health support services and counseling are being provided to students, staff, and faculty. The shooting is being investigated and the university is cooperating fully with law enforcement.
“I am incredibly grateful to the countless first responders from University Police Services, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Clark County Fire Department, and all emergency responders and medical personnel for their immediate and dedicated response,” Whitfield added. “Their actions today were brave, heroic, and indicative of the strength and resilience of our community.”
President Biden was quick to comment on the tragedy, calling for measures to address “the epidemic of gun violence we face,” according to CBS News.
Another liberal mass shooting at UNLV yesterday by a 67 year disgruntled college professor, whose job application was denied at the college.
It wasn’t an AR-15 either, it was a pistol.
Story is already dead, because it doesn’t fit the narrative.— Sara Rose (@saras76) December 7, 2023
“Just hours ago, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas became the latest college campus to be terrorized by a horrific act of gun violence,” Biden said in his statement.
“For all the action we have taken since I’ve been president, the epidemic of gun violence we face demands that we do even more. But we cannot do more without Congress,” the president asserted.
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